Box-dumping machine



Oct. 13, i925. F. STEBLER BOX DUMPING MACHINE IIIII WIN! yaus@ QLT..

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Oct. 13, 1925' F. sTEBLER Box DUMPING MACHINE Filed March 28. 1922 5 sheets-sheet 2 Oct. 13, 1925. 1,557,350

F'.v STEBLER Box DUMPING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1922 5 sheets-sheet s Qrl/UG-nliw allya,"

oct. 13,11925. 1,557,350

F. sTEBLER i BOX DUMPI NG MACHINE Filed March 28 ,A 1922 5 sheets-sheety 4 et. 13g 1925. 1,557,350

F. STEBLER BOX DUMPING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1922 5 sheets-sheet s 1g t o 5 s m ,g'

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Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

FRED STEBLER, OF ItIVITlRSIDE,v CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, A. CORPORATION To suenan-PARKER co., on oF cALrronNm BOX-DUMIPING MACHINE.

Application led March 28, 1922. Serial No. 547,449.

T o ZZ whom z't mag/concerm' I Be it known that I, FRED STEBLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Riverside, in the county of Riverside and State of California, have invented a new and useful Box-Dumping Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to box dumping machines and is particularly directed to a machine utilized for successively manipulan ing boxes to discharge their contents into a suitable receiver and to discharge the empty boxes.

An object. ofthe invention is to provide a mechanism eliminating the manual labor of emptying boxes of produce, which mechanism is ofgreat utility as a labor saving device contributing to an economic handling of such produce.

Another object is to provide a mechanical box emptying device operating in a predetermined sequence to insure a regulated flow of produce such as can not be effected by manual labor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine particularly adaptable for use in packing houses and canneries-for the purpose of emptying boxes received from producers, and contributing to an economic handling of such boxes of produce; it is a further. object of the invention to provide a machine insuring an automatic successive handling or manipulation of 4the boxes, at the same time insuring a feeding of the boxes to the dumping mechanism at relatively timed intervals.

Another object is to provide a machine for feeding loaded boxes at relatively timed intervals to a box manipulating mechanism functioning to successively dump the contents of the boxes into a suitable receiver and to subsequently discharge the empty boxes.

Another object is to provide various devices insuring a normal functioning 'of the machine and to safeguard the mechanism under abnormal conditions.

Various other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings which form a part yof this disclosure, and which illustrate a preferred form of embodiment of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view with certain of the parts broken and othersomitted to showA more clearly the train of mechanism this view is intended to illustrate.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4.--4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view partly 1n section of one of the box lelevating devices. i i

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section on line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. l0 is a semi-diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the box dumping mechanism.

The general arrangement of the machine illustrated vin the drawings includes a box feeding mechanism, indicated by the reference character A, (Fig. 2) presenting the loaded boxes to the dumping mechanism, indicated by the reference character B, at timed intervals, and a second conveyor, indicated by the reference character C, receiving the empty boxes from the dumping mechanism and ejecting them from the machine.

The loaded boxes are fed to the box feeding mechanism A by an endless belt conveyor 1 which is driven by a chain 2 from a clutch shaft 3, said clutch shaft being in turn driven by a chain 4 engaging a sprocket 5 on the main drive shaft 6 of the machine. The box feeding mechanism is carried by two parallel angle beams 7 and 8 supported at one end by the framework of the dumping mechanism, at the opposite end by being joined to the supporting framework of the belt conveyor 1, and at intermediate points by Jairs of leg members 9 and 10. Said box ceding mechanism comprises a plurality of constantly driven or live feed rollers 11 and 1la each-journaled to rotate in bearing blocks on the beams 7 and 8, and a plurality of smaller idle rollers 12 journaled in the vertical flanges of the beams 7 and 8, (see Fig. 2) the axes of the rollers l2 being located slightly higher than 'those of the rollers l1 and llu so as to substantially align the top surfaces of all of the rollers in the same horizontal line. (See Fig. 7.)

The boxes fed to the dumping mechanism `naled in the vertical flanges of the beams 7 and 15. The shafts of the several live rollers 11, 11a and 13 extend through the flange of the beam 7 and are provided with A sprocket Wheels engaged by chains 17 which establish driving connection between the rollers so that they all rotate together, the first of the rollers 13 being in driving connection with a sprocket 18 on the outer end of the main drive shaft 6, by a chain 19.

Associated with the belt conveyor 1 and with the adjacent portion of the feeding mechanism I provide means for controlling the operation of the conveyor, such means including two arms 2O mounted to swing into the path of travel of the boxes and to be engaged thereby and moved outwardly, the arms 20 being connected to a clutch operating lever 21 through link members 22, 23. The lever 21 operates a clutch 24 on the clutch shaft 3 to establish or throw out the drive for the belt conveyor 1. When the arms 20 areengaged by the boxes one at a time the clutch 24 remains engaged but when both of said arms are simultaneously engagedthe clutch is thrown out so that whenever the feeding mechanism is loaded with boxesthe conveyor stops until one of the arms 20 is again permitted to swing inward. Apmor'e specific illustration and description of this conveyor control may be had by referring to my pending application, Ser. No. 37,1),077, filed March 31, 1920, Patent No. 1,430, 66, Oct. 3, 1922.

Associated with the box feeding mechanism A are ytwo stop devices, one being positioned near the leg members 9, such device being herein termed a primary stop device, and the other being positioned between the last live roller 11 and the first roller 13 of the receiving table, this second stop being herein termed a secondary stop device. The primary stop device consists of a transverse bar 25 having its upper horizontal edge slightly below the horizontal plane of the tops of the conveying rollers but so located that as the boxes are fed along the feeding mechanism they engage with and are stopped by said bar. Associated with the stop bar 25 I provide means for lifting the forward ends of the boxes to clear said bar, such means comprising idle rollers 26 loosely journaled upon a shaft 27 carried by the free end of a swinging frame 28- which frame is pivotally journaled on a transverse bar 29 carried by the beams 7 and 8, and an idle roller 26a carried by said frame rearwardly of the rollers 26. (See Figs. 2, 7

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and 3. 'Loosely l connected foto "tliei medial portion of the shaft 27 between the two rollers 26, is a vdepending arm SQhavingpa Y n The secondary stop means comprises a yoke member 35 (see Fig. 7) loosely pivoted on a transverse rod 36 carried by the legv members 10 and having a roller` 37 which engages upon a cam 38 on the cam shaft 31 (see Fig. 9), the forward upper edge of the free end of the yoke being adapted to be moved into and out ofthe path of the boxes at timed intervals to control the feeding of the boxes onto the receiving table. The cam shaft 31 is journaled in bearings 39 supported by cross beams 40 connecting the respective pairs of leg members 9 and 10, and is driven by a chain 41 connecting associated sprockets on said cam shaft and on a shaft 42 of the driving mechanism. The relative timing of the cams 33 and 38 of the -two stop devices is such that when the one is up the other is down and by this arrangement as long as the secondary stop device is up and holding a box from being fed onto the receiving table, the box lifting rollers 26 of the primary stop device are down so that the stationary stop bar 25 functions to prevent a further feeding of the boxesuntil the secondary stop 35 is lowered to permit a box to be fed onto the receiving table, whereupon the lifting rollers 26 will be elevated to permit a box to be fed to the secondary stop device. very similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,461,465, granted July 10, 1923, and provides means positively assuring the feeding of the boxes to thedumping mechanism one at the time at spaced intervals.

My invention includes means for producing a gap between the foremost box and the following boxes, and this is ipreferably effected by producing an accelera ion in the foremost boxas it arrives at or near the loading point or table. This mode of operation is most advantageous in any mechanism in which boxes are fed forward to another mechanism which receives them, because it produces a gap or distinct separation between the foremost box and the next box. This insures that the second box in the feedmechanism until the foremost box is out This mechanism is of the way. This mode of operation also facilitates the cooperation of the boxes with the movable stop which holds back the second box, because the production of this gap or distinct separation insures that there l shaft 50.

will be space in front of the second box t0 enable the stop -to move into its path. In adapting this feature of the invention to the type of mechanism illustrated, it will be noted inFigures 1 and 2 that the sprocket 43 on the shaft of the last roller l1, and the sprocket 44 on the shaft of the last roller 11a arev each somewhat larger than the sprockets of the other live rollers.1 By this arrangement the rollers 13 will be driven at a higher speed than the'rollers 11, and the rollers 11 will be driven at a higher speed than the rollers 11a; the rollers 13 accelerate the foremost box in the line moving from the conveyor belt 1 to the receiving table, and thereby cause a gap or distinct separation of the foremost box from the next following box; in the same way the rollers 11 produce a gap between the box over them, and the next following box.

The framework which supports the box dumping mechanism may be of any suitable construction but in the preferred form illustrated such frame is constructed of angle irons and comprises vertical posts 45, 46, 47 connected together by suitable cross beams which will be specifically referred to when necessary to a clear understanding of the mechanism.

When a box is fed onto the receiving table or rollers, it engages a stop 48 (see Fig. 2) attached to the framework, which stop arrests the travel of the box and maintains it in position to be subsequently engaged by a box elevating mechanism which transfers the box to a dumping mechanism.

The elevating mechanism. is carried upon a rotary shaft 50 (see Fig. journaled in bearings 51 supported upon cross-beams 52 of the framework. Fixed to the inner end of said shaft is a gear 53 which meshes with a gear 54 as an element of a gear train connecting with the main drive shaft 6, the gear 54 being fixed to a short shaft 55 journaled in bearings 56. (See Figs. 2 and 4.) A' gear 57 is fixed on the shaft 55 and meshes with a gear 58 secured on the shaft 42 which is journaled in bearings 60, and which carries a gear 61, (see particularly Fig. 6). The gear 61 meshes with a pinion 62 on a shaft 63, which shaft is journaled in bearings 64 and has secured to its opposite end. a beveled pinion 65 meshing with a companion beveled pinion 66 on the drive shaft 6 This provides a complete gear train between the drive shaft 6 The elevator mechanism comprises two frames 67 fixed on the shaft 50 in spaced relation. each frame consisting -of two parallel rails joined by end bearing blocks 68 and a central boss69, and each end block carrying a stud 70 upon which is journaled a boxcarrier or lifter 71 having a horiand the elevator'.

zontal upper surface adapted to engage the bottom of a box on the receiving table, as will later be explained. To each lifter 71 is fixed a beveled gear 72 which meshes with a beveled pinion 73 fixed on a shaft 74 radially disposed between the rails of the fra-me 67 and journaled inthe respective end block 68 and in the central boss 69. (See Figs. 3 and 5.) Beveledpinions 75 fixed on the respective shafts 74, mesh with a stationary beveled gear 76 fixed to the bearing 5l. In this arrangement, since the gearing is of a one to one ratio, the box lifters 7l will be maintained horizontal throughout the rotary movements of the frames thereby maintaining each box in a horizontal plane during the lifting of the box from the receiving table onto the box dumping arms 77.

The dumping mechanism functions to dump the, contents of the boxes into a chute (see Fig. 3) comprising side boards 78 and a slat floor 79, and which discharges into any suitable receiver. A board 8O supports the inner ends of the slats 79 and carries brackets 81 which support the ivot rod 82 of the box dumping arms 77. i aid arms are ljoined together as a unit by a cross member 83 and secured to said member is a bracket 84 Vto which is pivotally connected a link 85 by which the box dumping arms 77 are operated. The means by which the link 85 is operated comprises a shaft 86 journaled in bearings 87 and carrying a gear wheel 88 meshing with the gearV 61, and a crank arm 89 fixed on the inner end of the shaft 86, with` a lost-motion device including a pin 90 engaging into an elongated slot 91 in the link 85 and having a cam flange 92 which during the rotation of the crank arm 89 engages a stud 93 pro` jecting from the inner side of the link 85.

As the shaft 86 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3. the pin 90 engages the upper end of the slot 91 and pushes the link 85 upwardly thereby elevating the box dumping arms 77 upwardly and backwardly tothe position illustrated in' F ig. 10. At this time the link 85 is in a position nearly coincident to a dead center line between the shaft 86 and the rod 82 and in some instances it may be that a straight pull on the link 85 may spring or break the parts rather .than effect a return movement of' the arms 77. Also. in case the arms 77 become stuck in their elevated position. and in the absence of the cam 92 and stud 93.. the pin 90 would travel idly down to the end of the slot 91 and then exert a sudden pull on the link. This would cause the arms 77 to become released and drop down with harmful force until the top end of the slot 91 strikes the pin 90 perhaps with sufficient force to break the pin. To offset such possibility the cam vent injury of the fruit.

' spring 97 connected to one of the arms 96 and to the framework of the machine (see Fig. 3).

lVhen the box, as it is tipped sidewise, engages the cover board 95 the fruit at one side of the box passes beneath lthe lower edge of said cover board and as the box is further tipped up, the cover board slides along the open side of the box allowing a gradually increasing opening for the discharge of the fruit. By this arrangement the discharge of the fruit from the box is effected gradually without injury or bruising.

After the box is emptied and during the return movement ofthe arms 77 the box is engaged and removed from said arms and conveyed to the empty box conveyor C by a pair of box transferring arms 100 each fixed on a short shaft 101 journaled in the outer end of a rotary carrier 102, the two carriers 102 being fixed in spaced relation on a transverse shaft 103 journaled in bearings 104 on the framework of the machine. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) Sprocket wheels 105 are secured to rotate with each of the respective short shafts 101 and stationary sprocket wheels 106 are fixed to each of the respective bearings 104, with endless chains 107 connecting each pair of the sprockets 105 and 106 so that as the shaft 103 and arms 102 are rotated the arms 100 are always in position to maintain the box in a horizontal position. A chain tightener 108 may be provided if desired. The shaft 103 is driven by a chain 109 which engages around a sprocket wheel 110 fixed on said shaft and a sprocket wheel 111 fixed on the shaft 86 previously referred to. The empty box conveyor C may be of any desired type, that shown comprisingr an endless belt 112 traveling between side boards 113, the inner board, carrying two bars 114 upon which the empty boxes are deposited by the transferring arms 100.

The main drive shaft 6 has a normally loose. drive pulley 115 containing suitable clutch mechanism including.,r a sleeve 116 operated by a clutch bell-crank lever 117 (see Fig. 8) pivoted at- 118 on the framework and extended forwardly to the front of the machine where it terminates with an operating handle 11.9, a Vlatch 120 being pivoted on said handle portion for engagement with a notch 121 in the adjacent vertical beam 47 to hold box is not fed all the way onto the receiving table and is not then in correct position for its being picked up by the lifter 71 of the elevator, the elevation of the box by the lifter when in such abnormal position, will cause it to engagethe plate 122 and effect a stopping of the machine.

lith particular reference to Figs. 3 and l0, an operation of the box through the box manipulating mechanism will now be set forth. The loaded boxes are fed onto the receiving table rollers 13, one at a time, as previously explained. The elevator frames 67, being rotated in timed relation with the box. feeding mechanism brings one pair of the box lifters 71 beneath the box on the table and during the continued rotation of the frames 67 elevates the box from the table and deposits it upon the box dumping arms 77. The arms will then be immediately operated to bring the box to a tilted position to discharge the fruit into the discharge chute as shown in Fig. 10. Upon the return movement of the arms 77, the transfer arms 100 will have arrived in a position to pick the empty box from the arms 77, carrying it upwardly and forwardly and depositing it upon the bars 114 where it will be in a position to be pushed onto the conveyor belt 112 by the arms 100 during the next rotative cycle thereof. 4 The machine above described provides an eflicient and economical apparatus by which loaded field boxes of fruit or other produce may be emptied quickly and without injury to the fruit or produce, and which is automatic in its operation, requiring a minimum amount of attention during its operation.

While well adapted to fulfil the objects primarily stated, the particular construction' herein shown and described is of course susceptible of various modifications and the in vention is not necessarily to be considered as limited in this regard.

I claim: r

1. In combination, means for tilting a loaded box to discharge its contents, and means actuated in timed relation with the tilting means and cooperating with the open side of the box to regulate the rate of discharge.'

l2. Tn combination, means for tilting a loaded box to discharge 'its contents. and means actuated in timed relation with the tilting means and adapted. to engage over the open side of the box and slidable relative thereto to insure a gradual-discharge of the contents.

3. In combination, a frame, means carried thereby for tilting a loaded box to discharge its contents, a swinging cover member supthe clutch disengaged. A horizontal plate 122 -is carried by the lever 117. Nowif a i ported by the frame in the path of movement of the box, adapted to engage over the open side of the box and cooperating with the moving box to slide along said open side to provide an opening of gradually increas-v ing size for the discharge of said contents.

4. In combination, a frame, means carried thereby for tilting a loaded box to discharge its contents, a cover member supported by the frame in the path of movement of the box, adapted to engage over the open side of the box during the tilting thereof and cooperating favith the moving box to slide along said open side to insure a gradual discharge of the contents, and means yieldingly maintaining the cover member against the box and the box against displacement from the tilting means.

5. In combination, a member operable to tilt a loaded box to discharge its contents, and a cover member for. engaging the open side of said box, said members being pivoted to swing in intersecting arcs whereby the cover member 'has a sliding movementalong the open side of the box to insure a gradual discharge of said contents.

G. In combination, a frame, a table for receiving loaded boxes, means for tilting the boxes to discharge their contents, a rotary elevator horizontally journaled on the frame,

box lifters journaled on the elevator and adapted during their travel to engage the bottom of the box on the table, lift it from the table and deposit it on the box titlting means, and means intermediate the 'frame and the box lifters maintaining them in a horizontal plane throughout the rotation of the elevator.

'7. In combination, a frame, atable for receiving boxes, a rotary member horizontally journaled on the frame, a box lifter rotatable on said member and adapted during the rotation of said member to engage the bottom of a boxon the table, lift it from the table and carry it in a circular path, a gear rotatable with the lifter, a stationary gear, and connections intermediate the gears for maintaining the lifter in a horizontal plane.

8. In combination, a table for receiving boxes, a horizontally journaled elevator member, means for rotating said member in one direction, a box lifter Journaled on said member and adapted during the rotation thereof to engage the bottom of a box on the table, lift it from the table and carry it upwardly and rearwardly in a circular path, and means causing the lifter to rotate on the elevator member in a direction reverse to the rotation of said member to maintain the lifter continually in a horizontal plane.

9. In combination, a frame, a rotatable member, a box lifter rotatable on said member, and connections intermediate the frame and the lifter causing the lifter to rotate on said'member in a reverse direction to main- 'tain said lifter cont`inually-in a `horizontal 10. In combination, a table for receiving boxes, a feedingv mechanism for feeding the boxes in succession attimed intervals onto the table, mechanism for receiving the boxes from the table, driving last named mechanism, and automatic means having an operating lever for disconnecting the driving means and actuated by a box in case the same is improperly aligned. p

l1. In combination, a receiving table, a conveyor feeding loaded boxes onto the table endwise at timed intervals, a box dumping means, yan elevator lifting the boxes from the table and carrying them sidewise in an upward and rearward circular path and depositing them on the dumping means, means operating the dumping means to tilt the boxes sidewise to discharge their contents, means regulating the discharge of the contents. from the boxes, and means removing the empty' boxes from the dumping means.

12. In combination, a frame, a receiving table, means feeding loaded boxes onto the table at timed intervals, box dumping means pivoted on the frame, a rotary elevator, box lifters journaled on the elevator and adapted to engage the bottom of abox on the table and carry Ait from the table and deposit it on the box dumping means, means maintaining said lifters in a horizontal plane, means operating the box dumping means to tilt the box sidewise to discharge its contents, a yielding cover member adapted to engage the open side of the box during the tilting thereof to regulate the rate of discharge of said contents, empty box receiving means, and box transferring means empty box from the box dumping means during its return movement and transferring it to the box receiving means.

13. In combination, a receiving table, means for advancing a succession of loaded boxes towards the table with an accelerated rate of advance of the foremost box to separate it from the following boxes, and operating to deposit the `boxes at timed intervals upon the table, and box manipulating mechanism functioning in timed relation to said feeding means for removing the boxes from the table.

14. In combination, a receiving table, means for feeding a succession of loaded boxes towards the tab-le and comprising a plurality of sets of live rollers, means for driving the rollers so that the last set has a higherperipheral speed than the adjacent set to cause a separation of the foremost box from the following boxes, and effect their delivery upon the table at timed intervals, and box manipulating mechanism functionmeans for the removing thev ing in timed relation with said feeding means for successively removing the boxes from the table.

15. In box-handling mechanism, a rotary lifting device comprising a rotatably mounted frame,- a lifter carried by the frame for supporting a box, means including a clutch for rotating the frame, and automatic means for opening the clutch in case the box is not properly aligned on the lifter.

16. In box-handling mechanism, the com1 bination of feeding mechanism for feeding the boxes forward in succession to a loading point, mechanism for receiving the boxes having a plurality of box-carriers moving past the loading point, means for driving the last-'named mechanism, including a clutch, and automatic means for opening the clutch actuated by a box in case the same is not properly aligned on its carrier.

17. In box-handling mechanism, the combination of feeding mechanism for feeding the boxes forward in succession to a loading point, box-dumping mechanism having a plurality of box-carriers to move past the loading point and receive the boxes, means including a clutch for driving the dumping mechanism, 'and a member projecting near the path of the boxes .on the carriers and operating when struck by a misplaced box,

to open the clutch and stop the dumpingy mechanism. f

18. In box-handling mechanism, the combination of feeding mechanism for feeding the boxes forward in succession to a loading into the path of movement of the boxes,"

and means for effecting an acceleration of,

the foremost box so as to produce a gap between it and the following boxes through which the said stop may move into the path of the boxes.

20. In mechanism of the kind described, a movable box-holder, means for movably supporting the same to enable the holder to invert the box to dump its contents, a link connected with the boxholder for actuating the same to dump the box, a rotatable arm, a lost-motion device connecting the arm with the link for actuating the link and operating as the arm rotates to impart movement through the link to the box-holder, a pin on the link, and a cam on the arm for initiating the return movement of the boxholder after the dumping of the box.

Signed at Los Angeles, Cal. this 22 day of March, 1922.

FRED STEBLER. 

